Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Recipe

The Best Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Recipe You’ll Love

Weeknight dinners just got a delightful crispy chicken with creamy pasta upgrade that promises pure comfort.

Crunchy golden-brown chicken pieces nestle perfectly alongside silky smooth noodles in this irresistible meal.

Delicate herbs and a rich sauce bring unexpected depth to every forkful.

Home cooks will appreciate how simple ingredients combine into something spectacular.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures that dance across your palate.

Layers of flavor emerge from carefully selected seasonings and techniques.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing dish that turns an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary experience.

FAQs

  • What makes the breading so crispy?

The combination of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture creates a perfect crispy coating. The flour helps the egg stick, the egg binds the breadcrumbs, and the Parmesan adds extra crunch and flavor.

  • Can I use different types of pasta?

Absolutely! While the recipe works great with most pasta shapes, fettuccine, linguine, or penne are excellent choices that hold the creamy sauce well and provide a nice texture contrast with the crispy chicken.

  • Is it necessary to pound the chicken?

Yes, pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures uniform cooking and prevents dry or undercooked spots. It helps the chicken cook evenly and stay tender throughout.

  • How can I prevent the breading from falling off?

Make sure to press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken and let it rest for a few minutes before cooking. Pat the chicken dry before breading and avoid moving it too much while frying to help the coating stick better.

What Makes Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Great

  • Savor Speed: Whip up this delightful meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a restaurant-quality dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Versatile Comfort: Easily adaptable for picky eaters by adjusting seasonings or swapping ingredients, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies both adults and kids.
  • Crispy Texture Triumph: Experience the ultimate culinary delight with perfectly golden chicken that delivers a satisfying crunch, beautifully contrasting with the smooth, rich pasta sauce.
  • Minimal Cleanup Champion: Using the same pan for cooking chicken and creating the sauce reduces dishwashing time, giving you more moments to enjoy your delicious meal instead of scrubbing pots.

Crispy Chicken Creamy Pasta Contents

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
Coating Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the first layer of coating for chicken, helps breading stick better.
  • Eggs, Beaten: Acts as a binding agent to help breadcrumbs adhere to chicken.
  • Breadcrumbs (Panko): Provides crispy texture and golden exterior, panko recommended for extra crunchiness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor to the coating and enhances crispiness.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Combination of spices that builds depth of flavor and enhances overall taste of chicken coating.
Cooking Fat:
  • Olive Oil: Helps in achieving golden-brown crust and adds subtle richness to the dish.

Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Cooking Guide

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook the pasta following package guidelines.

Before draining, scoop out a half cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken for Crispy Goodness

Gently pound the chicken breasts to create an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Step 3: Create Breading Station

Set up three separate bowls for coating:
  • Flour bowl
  • Beaten eggs bowl
  • Breadcrumb mixture bowl (combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and seasonings)

Step 4: Coat Chicken with Flavor

Dredge each chicken breast through the stations:
  • First, coat completely in flour
  • Next, dip into beaten eggs
  • Finally, cover with seasoned breadcrumb mixture

Step 5: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until achieving a beautiful golden-brown crispy exterior.

Transfer to a plate.

Step 6: Craft Creamy Sauce Base

In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.

Pour in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.

Step 7: Create Silky Sauce Consistency

Add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce thickness.

Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring every strand gets beautifully coated.

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Slice the crispy chicken and place atop the luscious creamy pasta.

Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal!

Crispy Chicken and Pasta With Creamy Cooking Balance

  • Pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap to an even 1/2-inch thickness for uniform cooking and maximum crispiness.
  • Mix Parmesan into breadcrumbs for extra depth and a golden, crunchy exterior that locks in moisture.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining to help sauce adhere smoothly and create a silky, restaurant-quality texture.
  • Use medium heat when cooking chicken to achieve a crispy golden brown without burning the breading.
  • Add reserved pasta water gradually to thin or thicken sauce, ensuring perfect coating and preventing separation.

Keep Crispy Chicken Pasta Fresh For Another Meal

  • Store leftover chicken and pasta separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
  • Warm pasta in a skillet with a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creaminess. Stir gently over medium-low heat until heated through.
  • Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy breading.
  • Consume reheated dish within 1-2 days for optimal taste and texture. Discard if stored longer than recommended time.

Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Side Picks

  • Enhance Flavor Harmony: Pair crispy chicken pasta with a crisp Pinot Grigio, balancing the dish's rich creaminess with its light, refreshing notes.
  • Wine-Soaked Delight: Choose a chilled Chardonnay to complement the buttery sauce and provide a smooth, elegant drinking experience alongside the crispy chicken.
  • Herbaceous Sidekick: Serve a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's richness and add a bright, peppery contrast to the meal.
  • Texture Booster: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or crispy breadcrumbs on top of the pasta to enhance the crunch factor and add an extra layer of textural interest.

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Serving Ideas

  • Gluten-Free Crispy Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch for initial coating to maintain crispiness.
  • Dairy-Free Creamy Pasta: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for similar flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Chicken Pasta: Replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs for chicken coating.
  • Vegetarian Protein Option: Swap chicken with breaded tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives. Maintain the same breading and cooking technique for crispy texture.
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Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Recipe

Crispy Chicken With Creamy Pasta Recipe


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4.9 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy chicken meets dreamy creamy pasta in this irresistible Italian-inspired comfort dish. Perfectly golden chicken cutlets nestled among silky noodles promise a delightful dinner that satisfies deep cravings and brings pure joy to your plate.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Breading and Seasoning:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Fat:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta in salted water following package guidelines, carefully preserving ½ cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
  2. Gently pound chicken breasts to ensure uniform thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  3. Create a three-part coating process: first station with seasoned flour, second with whisked eggs, third with a blend of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan mixed with dried herbs.
  4. Methodically dredge each chicken piece through flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dip thoroughly in egg wash, finally coating generously with herbed breadcrumb mixture.
  5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing pan to become evenly warm before adding breaded chicken.
  6. Fry chicken pieces for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
  7. Remove chicken and set aside on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil while maintaining crispness.
  8. Using identical skillet, reduce heat and melt butter, immediately adding minced garlic and sautéing until fragrant and slightly translucent.
  9. Pour heavy cream into garlic butter, incorporating Parmesan, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, stirring continuously.
  10. Gradually introduce reserved pasta water to create smooth, silky sauce consistency, simmering gently for 2-3 minutes.
  11. Introduce cooked pasta directly into cream sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete and even coating.
  12. Slice crispy chicken diagonally and arrange atop creamy pasta, garnishing with additional Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots on thicker areas.
  • Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor complexity if standard breadcrumbs feel too plain.
  • Save pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, restaurant-quality sauce consistency that helps cheese and cream blend smoothly.
  • Adjust cream sauce’s spiciness by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, making the dish adaptable for different flavor preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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